Portable hand-operated pressing device for clothing or the like

ABSTRACT

A portable device for rolling, pressing and/or steam-ironing garments and fabrics. Scissor-like handles manipulate a pair of cylinders which progressively clasp between them material to be pressed. At least one of the cylinders contains a heating element; and one or both of the cylinders are rotatable. In a preferred embodiment, one cylinder is stationary, and contains a water tank above the heating element for generating steam to moisten the fabric during the pressing operation.

[451 Nov. 21, 1972 ......$8/69 Pezza..................... .38/71 [541 PORTABLE HAND-OPERATED Mitchell 96 65 99 II 6 61 1.. V5. 38 24 32 PRESSING DEVICE FOR CLOTHING 0 OR THE LIKE Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Attorney-Martha G. Pugh [72] Inventor: Sally J. Smith, 299 Lyons Avenue, PO. Box 4271, Newark, NJ. 07112 Dec; 9, 1970 [22] .Filed: ABSTRACT A portable device for'rolling, pressing and/or steam- [21] Appl.No.: 96,446

' ironing garments and fabrics. Scissor-like handles manipulate a pair of cylinders which progressively clasp between them material to be pressed. At least 38/69 [51] Int. 51/00 one of the cylinders contains a heating element, and [58] Field of Search ...............38/69, 71, 101, 68/222 one or both of the cylinders are rotatable In a [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS preferred embodiment, one cylinder is stationary, and

contains a water tank above the heating element for generating steam to moisten the fabric during the pressing operation.

824,742 7/1906 Richardson....;.;........ ...38/101 2,451,102 10/1948 11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Litke.............................-38/69 PATENTEDum/m m2 INVENTOR 8V SALLVJ. SM TH AT TOR/V5 V PORTABLE HAND-OPERATED PRESSING DEVICE 1 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One of the problems which arises in ironing with conventional electric flat irons and steam irons is the need for a flat surface, preferably an ironing board, against which the work material is held or stretched during the ironing process. This makes it difficult to iron hangings without removing them, or to do touch up ironing of garments on their hangers, or, for example, of the costumes worn by actresses about to appear on stage, or the garments worn on ceremonial occasions, such as by members of a wedding party. Various types of portable irons have been in use in the prior art which have been less than successful because the heated surface which comes in contact with the work material is not large enough to operate quickly and efficiently for on the spot removal of wrinkles from a large bulk of material.

It is, accordingly, the principal object of the present invention to provide improved means for. pressing clothing, hangings and the like on location without the use of a board; and more particularly, to provide greater facility and speed in removing wrinkles from hangings and clothing not ordinarily accessible to use olconvcntional ironing or pressing devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by a novel method and apparatus in which the material to be pressed is clasped between a pair of heated, elongated cylinders manipulated by handles to open and close on the work in the manner of shears. The cooperating cylinders are disposed on a pair of handles which are fastened together with a transversely sliding pin, which permits the cylinders to close in tangential relation to the work against the tension of a pair of springs. At least one of the cylinders is designed to rotate as the work is progressively passed between them; and one or more of the cylinders is equipped for most of its length with a conventional electrical heating element. In a preferred embodiment, this is the nonrotating cylinder. This cylinder may also contain a chamber in which water is stored for the generation of steam; and a series of vents for the escape of jets of steam directed at the work, in the manner of a conventional steam iron.

The electric power for the heating element may be derived from a conventional a.c. or d.c. source, to which contact is made through an insulated conduit which, in the preferred embodiment, passes in through the end of the handle leading tothe cylinder enclosing the heating element.

Using the device of the present invention, which can be manufactured in many different sizes and models, wide drapes or, for example, theatrical curtains, can be readily pressed without removing them from their usual locations. Also, parts of clothing can be pressed, for example, when hanging from the mannequin; or while being worn by actresses or models preparing to appear on stage, or by members of a wedding party about to assemble.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the apparatus contemplated by the present invention can take numerous different forms, and can be used for many different types of applications. The principal advantage of this device is elimination of any necessity for using an ironing board, or for removing the material to be pressed to apreselected position prior to the pressing operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a study of the detailed specificationhereinafter with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective showing of a preferred embodiment of a portable hand-manipulated rotary steam pressing device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged, detailed showing of the connecting screw 12 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional showing of the upper cylinder of FIG. 1, including a brokenaway portion showing the. interior of the water tank for the steam apparatus, the heating element and the water intake and steam control valves;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged showing of a detail of the steam control needle valve in the tank of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the cylinder of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows 4-4;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of the cylinder of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows 5-5; and

FIG. 6 is an end elevation of the cylinder of FIG. 2 in the direction of arrows 6-6, showing the temperature control rheostat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring in detail to the drawings, the device shown in FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment of the invention. A pair of cylindrical bodies 1 and 2 are mounted'in parallel relation on the ends of a pair of axially disposed pipes 3 and 4.

, Cylinders 1 and 2 respectively comprise a pair of like dimensioned hollow aluminum tubes 1% inch in outer diameter and 8 inches long, and having wall thickness of is inch; although it will be appreciated that the dimensions can be larger or smaller. These cylinders are closed at each of their ends with annular closures, as will be explained presently.

The cylinders l and 2 are respectively supported in parallel relation by means of a pair of parallel pipes 3 and 4 which terminate at their other ends in squeeze handles 5 and 6. At a position between handles 5 and 6 and cylinders l and 2, pipes 3 and 4 are fastened together by a pair of inwardly projecting lips 9 and 10, which are mounted in overlapping relation and fastened together by a screw 12, an enlargement of which is shown in FIG. 1A. The lower shank end of screw 12 fits into a screw hole in the recessed lower lip 10. The portion of the shank above the screw end rides in transverse 1-inch slot 11 when the handles are squeezed. The upper shoulder of screw 12 rests on the upper lip 9, pressing lips 9 and 10 together.

The pipes 3 and 4, in the embodiment under description, which are of rectangular cross-section, are formed from aluminum tubing, say, five-eighths inch in crosssection (or five-eighths inch in diameter in the case of round tubes), having wall thicknesses of, say, oneeighth inch, and extending about 3 inches along an axial direction from the ends of rollers 1 and 2. Handles 5 and 6 are equipped with conventional grips or sleeves 7 and 8, which may be of synthetic or natural rubber, serrated or otherwise shaped to provide an optimum grip when the two handles are simultaneously grasped. In the present embodiment, the overlapping projections 9 and 10 are centered 3 or 4 inches from the lefthand terminals of the handles; and when the handles are unoperated, respectively project in overlapping relationship so that the axes of handles 5 and 6 are maintained about 2%. inches apart, with the projecting screw 12 in the lowermost position in slot 11. Handles 5 and 6 are maintained apart against the compression of a pair of coil springs 13 and 14 located symmetrically on both sides of the overlapping projections 9 and 10, approximately parallel to the slot 11. The two coil springs, which are respectively fastened at their two ends to the inner edges of the rectangular pipes 3 and 4, each enclose, in slidable relation, rods 15 and 16 which are fixed at their lower ends, bearing on the pipe 3, and which move at their upper ends through sleeves or bores in the rod 4, the ends of the rods 15 and I6 protruding from the upperedge of rod 4, when the handles are squeezed together against the compression of springs 13 and l4, to place the peripheral shells of cylinders 1 and 2 in tangential relation.

Lower cylinder 1 which is supported in longitudinal concentric relation at one terminal of rectangular pipe 3, comprises an outer cylindrical shell 17 which is disposed for rotation about an axial rod 18, say, onefourth inchv in diameter, and 7% inches long. Rod 18 may have recessed or screw-threaded ends which are rigidly fastened on both ends into central bores or screw holes in a pair of cylindrical bearing fittings l9 and 21. At its left-hand end, cylindrical bearing-fitting 19 comprises an outer shoulder, say, 1% inches in outer diameter and extending one-fourth inch in axial direction toward handle 3. Fitting I9 is recessed at the inner end to provide a ball-bearing race which forms an annular ring protruding about one-fourth inch or so into thc'left-hand end of cylindrical shell 17. The cylin- (lrical bearing-fitting 2l, at the right-hand end, is similarly dimensioned and provided with an annular ball-bearing'racc protruding into the right-hand end of cylindrical shell 17. The latter, which is a hollow shell about one-eighth inch in wall thickness, rotates freely in an axial direction against the ball bearings in the ballbearing races 19a and 21a. Bearing-fitting 19 has a central opening at its outer end to accommodate a screwthreaded end or stud of the handle pipe 3. Fitting 19 is screwed into place against the washer 22, which has a central opening machined to fit the rectangular pipe 3. At the other end of rotatable cylinder 1, the bearingfitting 21 is held in place by means of a screw 24 and a washer 23.

In the embodiment under description, which operates as a steam press, cylinder 2 encloses concentrically a cylindrical water tank 25 (FIG. 2), also of aluminum. This tank has a wall thickness, say one-eighth inch, an outer diameter, say, five-eighths inch, and an overall length of, say, 6 inches. The tank 25 is rigidly supported in a concentric position inside of cylinder 2 by axially located rods 26a and 26b which are welded,

or otherwise secured, to the ends of the tank, and which fit into and are respectively secured in recesses at the centers of circular partition plates 27a and 27b. The latter are sealed to the inner curved surface of the cylinder to form between them a central fluid-tight chamber constructed to withstand suitable steam pressure. Tank 25 has an intake pipe 28, about one-fourth inch in innerdiameter, which leads from the outer surface of cylinder 2 to the interior of tank 25, through which the tank is filled with water to be converted to steam. This is preferably formed to include a conventional trap to prevent the escape of water if the tank 25 is tipped, while, at the same time, facilitating the escape of excess steam. (See FIG. 5)

In addition, cylinder 2 is equipped with a switch 31 including a button 32 which is pushed between two extreme positions to indicate dry and steam. During this process, a leaf spring 33a slides on a button 33b, engaging a notch 33c in the steam position. In the latter position, the leaf spring engages the head of a needle valve 34, raising the latter against the tension of a spring 35 which is fixed at its lower end to the upper surface of tank 25, and at its upper end is connected to the valve head. The needle valve 34 is encased in a sleeve 36 which extends vertically from the center portion of the top of tank 25 through the tank to the valve seat 37 at the bottom. (See FIG. 3) The valve seat 37 is a washer having a small cylindrical opening about onefourth inch in diameter. In unoperated position of the valve, the pin 34, which terminates in a conical point, is compressed into the opening of valve seat 37. When the button 32 rests in slot 330, the needle valve 34 is lifted off of its seat, permitting water, which has passed from the tank through perforations in the wall of sleeve 36, to drip out through the valve opening.

The lower curved portion of the tank 25 is partially surrounded by a heating unit 39 in the form of a semicyclindric al shell. Heating unit 39 extends along most of the length of the tank to about 1 inch from each of the tank ends. This is shown in section in FIGS. 4 and 5. Heatingunit 39 may comprise, for example, a coil of high resistance wire, such as nichrome, or the like, embedded in a blanket of asbestos, or another insulating fabric. The heating unit 39 is designed to generate as a maximum, say, l,l00 watts of heat at volts alternating current. Heat regulation is controlled by rotatable pointer 47a connected to a slider on rheostat 47, which is connected in series with the circuit of heater 39 at the right-hand end of cylinder 2. An insulated pair of lead wires 41, 42 passes from the conventional pronged plug 44, which plugs into a conventional a.c. source. Conduit 45, enclosing the insulated wire pair 41, 42 passes through the open end of the hollow handle 6, along the axis of the handle, the pipe 4 and through a conduit sealed into one end of the cylinder 2, a properly insulated connection being made between the ends of the two lead wires 41 and 42 (ground) and the heating unit 39 to complete the electrical circuit of the latter. On the upper face of the asbestos insulated heating coil 39 is disposed a semicylindrical metal sheet 39a on which the water drips from the valve seat 37 when needle valve 34 is in open position, to make steam in the chamber bounded by partitions 27a and 27b.

On the upper curved side of the cylinder 2, in closest proximity to the lower surface of cylinder 1, are a plurality of perforations 48 for the emergence of the steam generated in the central compartment.

It will be apparent that when handles Sand 6 are squeezed together against the compression of the springs 13 and 14, by clasping the grips 7 and 8, the cylinders 1 and 2 are pressed together in tangential relation to the work to be pressed. The lower cylinder 1 is preferably covered with padding one-fourth inch or so thick, in'the manner of a conventional mangle. The work fabric, upon being grasped between the cylinders l and 2, is progressively pulled between them as cylinder 1 rotates against the "ball bearings in the bearing races 19a and 1%. During this process, the heat is adjusted to the desired setting by the pointer 47a, which moves a wiper to the desired position along the rheostat 47. Water is poured into the tank through the opening 28 for the generation of steam; and the button 32 is depressed to position 32b for steam. The amount of steam generated is determined by the setting of pointer 47a on rheostat 47, which has calibrations marked according to the material to be pressed. (See FIG. 6)

It will be apparent that the pressing device of the present invention can assume other forms than those specifically shown in FIG. 1, et seq. For example, both cylinders 1 and 2 can be equipped with heaters; and either of the cylinders can be operated with or without the steam generating unit. In accordance with another alternative, both of the cylinders l and 2 can be designed to rotate.

It will be further understood that the present invention is not specifically restricted to the forms shown and described by way of illustration, the invention being defined only in accordance with the claims hereinafter. For example, instead of aluminum, parts of the device, such as the cylinders and handles, with the exception of the actual pressing surface, can be formed of suitable plastic materials.

What I claim is:

l. A portable hand-manipulated device for pressing work material which comprises in combination a pair of cylinders disposed with their long axes substantially parallel and colinear,

said cylinders respectively connected in an axial direction to a pair of handles which are coupled together for manual manipulation of said cylinders to open and close in substantially colinear relation to grasp between them tangentially work material to be pressed,

at least one of said cylinders containing internal electrical heating means, 1

and at least one of said cylinders being rotatable about its long axis.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said heating means comprises a high resistance electrical coil, and a conduit for connecting said coil to a source of power, at least one of said handles being hollow, said conduit passing from said heating means through said hollow handle and terminating in connecting means to a source of electrical power.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of said cylinders contains means for generating steam for steam (pressing, including a water tank located ad acentsai heating means and having water intake means, an adjustable valve for controlling the generation of steam from the combination including said tank and said heating means, and means comprising perforations on one side of said cylinder for venting steam in the direction of the work material passing between said cylinders,

said one cylinder being rigidly connected in axial relation to one of the handles of said pair, and the other said cylinder being connected rotatively to the other handle of said pair.

4. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein both of said cylinders are rotatable about their long axes.

5. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein both of said cylinders contain internal electrical heating means.

6. The combination in accordance with claim '3 wherein both of said cylinders contain means for generating steam for steam pressing including in each cylinder heating means, a water tank adjacent said heating means and having water intake means, an adjustable steam valve for controlling the generation of steam from the combination including said tank and said heating means, and means comprising perforations in each of said cylinders for directing steam in the direction of work material passing through said cylinders.

7. The method of hand pressing work material which comprises compressing a pair of pivotally connected squeeze handles arranged to open and close a pair of cylinders disposed in substantially colinear relation, grasping said material tangentially between said cylinders, at least one of said cylinders being rotatable along its long axis, and at least one of said cylinders being heated internally by means of a self-contained unit.

8. The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein steam is generated in at least one of said cylinders.

9. The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein both of said cylinders are rotatable along their long axes.

10. The combination in accordance with claim 7 wherein both of said cylinders are heated internally.

11. The combination in accordance with claim 8 wherein steam is generated in both of said cylinders.

$3 3 3 UNiTEn STATES PATENT OFFICE I I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,703,042 Dated November 21, 1972 Inventor(s) Sa1l v J Smith It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5', line 1, after "On the" change "upper" to ----lower---; line 2, after "the" change "lower" to Signed end/sealed this 3rd day 01501113 1973;

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER ,JR. Rene Tegtmever Attesting Officer t I A i Commissioner of Patents 3 2 with STATES PATENT otwee CERTWECATE @F QQRRECTEON Patent No. 5,703,042 Dated November 21, 1972 Inventor(s)Sa1l V J. Smith It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 1, after "On the" change "upper" to -lower-; line 2, after "the" change "lower" to Signed end sealed this 3rd day of July 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER-,JR. Rene Tegtmever Attesting Officer A ti Commissioner of Patents 

1. A portable hand-manipulated device for pressing work material which comprises in combination a pair of cylinders disposed with their long axes substantially parallel and colinear, said cylinders respectively connected in an axial direction to a pair of handles which are coupled together for manual manipulation of said cylinders to open and close in substantially colinear relation to grasp between them tangentially work material to be pressed, at least one of said cylinders containing internal electrical heating means, and at least one of said cylinders being rotatable about its long axis.
 1. A portable hand-manipulated device for pressing work material which comprises in combination a pair of cylinders disposed with their long axes substantially parallel and colinear, said cylinders respectively connected in an axial direction to a pair of handles which are coupled together for manual manipulation of said cylinders to open and close in substantially colinear relation to grasp between them tangentially work material to be pressed, at least one of said cylinders containing internal electrical heating means, and at least one of said cylinders being rotatable about its long axis.
 2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said heating means comprises a high resistance electrical coil, and a conduit for connecting said coil to a source of power, at least one of said handles being hollow, said conduit passing from said heating means through said hollow handle and terminating in connecting means to a source of electrical power.
 3. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of said cylinders contains means for generating steam for steam pressing, including a water tank located adjacent said heating means and having water intake means, an adjustable valve for controlling the generation of steam from the combination including said tank and said heating means, and means comprising perforations on one side of said cylinder for venting steam in the direction of the work material passing between said cylinders, said one cylinder being rigidly connected in axial relation to one of the handles of said pair, and the other said cylinder being connected rotatively to the other handle of said pair.
 4. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein both of said cylinders are rotatable about their long axes.
 5. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein both of said cylinders contain internal electrical heating means.
 6. The combination in accordance with claim 3 wherein both of said cylinders contain means for generating steam for steam pressing including in each cylinder heating means, a water tank adjacent said heating means and having water intake means, an adjustable steam valve for controlling the generation of steam from the combination including said tank and said heating means, and means comprising perforations in each of said cylinders for directing steam in the direction of work material passing through said cylinders.
 7. The method of hand pressing work material which comprises compressing a pair of pivotally connected squeeze handles arranged to open and close a pair of cylinders disposed in substantially colinear relation, grasping said material tangentially between said cylinders, at least one of said cylinders being rotatable along its long axis, and at least one of said cylinders being heated internally by means of a self-contained unit.
 8. The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein steam is generated in at least one of said cylinders.
 9. The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein both of said cylinders are rotatable along their long axes.
 10. The combination in accordance with claim 7 wherein both of said cylinders are heated internally. 